Travelling to Hong Kong for business or leisure and taking up the sights and sounds can leave you seeking a getaway to mesmerise over. From the city of Hong Kong’s traditions, rich culture, modern amenities and attractions getting away from it all at the Ritz Carlton Hotel is an experience.

The Ritz Carlton Hotel Hong Kong

Highest hotel in the world
Up in the clouds, in the fourth tallest tower, The Ritz Carlton Hotel Hong Kong, currently the highest hotel in the world, occupies levels 102 to 118 of the amazing, 484 m skyscraper on the island of West Kowloon.

The new property the 16th in Asia for Ritz Carlton, officially opened on the 29th March 2011.

“Let us stay with you” ethos
The 312 exquisite rooms all provide spectacular harbour and city views and an experience that includes the “Let us stay with you” ethos and sincere hospitality of the Ladies and Gentleman that has become the mark of the Ritz Carlton experience.

Ritz Carlton Hotel Hong Kong Airport greeting
Having been greeted in the early hour by the hotel’s friendly airport crew, baggage collected, and transferred by their private limousine service; en-route the driver eager to answer any questions and provide local insight, we are whisked from the airport.

The grand entrance at the Ritz Carlton
Arriving at the Porte Cochere positioned on the 9th floor with a fixating view of Victoria Harbour and city skyline.

With a warm welcome by the hotel concierge and seamlessly transported through to the dedicated lifts that escalate you to the reception for check-in on the 103rd floor you feel a sense of warmth and comfort.

Grand designs
The decor and design theme inspired by the dynamic cultural mix of local Eastern flavour with hints of Western internationalism all adds to the warm ambiance. This property is charmingly gracious, homely, elegant with countless pieces of fascinating and exquisite splendour through the decorative glass and crystal elements and comforting seating arrangements.

This property is near flawless in design and layout. The open spaces are marked by hand- tufted wool and silk “cartographic patterned” carpets throughout. The marble too is elegant and the colours and schemes used are embracing.

Location, location, location
A central junction and location for rail connections, a transport mega hub
The ICC building which hosts the hotel is situated right above Kowloon Station on the Airport Express line, just 20 minutes away. The centre is an important downtown transportation hub and rail junction.

Kowloon Station lies at the geographical centre of Hong Kong, and at the heart of a transport infrastructure system that makes the International Commerce Centre one of the best connected building locations.

Welcome, your name is …
It has become custom to address each guest by name on arrival, with so many new faces in a year old property this is sometimes a little tricky, that being said the staff are eager to engage in a conversation where they are able to extrapolate some nuances that allow them to assimilate name with face. This job is potentially tedious but one handled with class by the team that welcome you to what they call home.

As we had arrived in the very early hours we were kindly offered a room to rest till our room was available. All seamlessly arranged and on moving to our new room the team from check-in where at hand to move our luggage as concierge were occupied. A standout in ‘I can do the job’ shows their commitment to excellence.

A home away from home experience
Those little things that stand out always are the welcoming note and a little treat to make you feel like you’re in good company. Receiving an assortment of chocolaty treats, fruit and juice as you enter your room always helps soothe the travel blues. The refinement of guest services is valued in these expressions of comfort.

With a collection of room types available to entertain this property caters admirably to the business, family and exuberant taste. The modest, starting at 50 sq. m for a Deluxe Room, and reaching an incredible 365 sq. m for the magnificent Ritz-Carlton Suite. All rooms provide state-of-the-art technology including Wi-Fi, iPod docking stations, blu-ray DVD players and stylish flat screen TVs.

The chambers are all very large and comfortable and the layout very accommodating. With bay windows to sit and stare out, dreams are made here. With luxurious beds and linen with a high thread count to accompany an assortment of pillows available you will experience true comfort.

With bedside remote controls to adjust the temperature, lighting and curtains you won’t have to move from bed. The little standout goes to the additional plug socket located on the control panel next to the bed for convenient charging purposes. The business traveller or social networker has plenty of desk space too; with your back to the view you’ll have a little more focus.

The bathrooms hidden by large doors that slide aside welcome you to a respite of luxurious gowns and Asprey amenities. With twin basins, bath salts to compliment the bath or a rain shower to soak away the stresses you’re only discomfort is deciding which to choose from. The nicety is having the latrine in a glass hazed cubicle for additional privacy.

The distinct club level
The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, located on the 116th floor features floor-to-ceiling windows and has a very tempting option of six daily food and beverage presentations available making it hard to leave the luxury, as well as dedicated Club Concierge service, 24 hour access, work stations, meeting facilities and Wi-Fi throughout all you need is catered for. Complimentary limousine service is available within the vicinity, subject to availability.

As a treat head to, tucked in a little nook in the corner, the private library with luxuriously comfortable sofas and a host of books for reading or a selection of coffee table books including a charming chess set you will easily be kept occupied all afternoon long with the afternoon tea presentation.

Ritz Carlton recreational and spa facilities
The hotel boasts amongst a myriad of attributes, the world’s highest swimming pool located on the 118th floor. The indoor infinity swimming pool over 20 meters in length located on the top floor of the hotel features 144 LED screens on the ceiling that display images, currently alternating an underwater sea world of fish or of clouds; with day beds to while away the hours your cares easily forgotten.

Also located here are an outdoor jacuzzi and small seating arrangements to gaze out from at the extraordinary views. Indoors also holds an ice cold pool and another warm jacuzzi. The only unsightly part is the trouble with under footing to prevent any slips from the water to the changing facilities; these are equipped with large shower chambers and steam room with hairdryers and a few essentials at hand and always a bottle of water ready.

The picturesque gym facility won’t make it hard to entertain yourself for a workout. The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA located on 116th floor features nine deluxe treatment rooms and two couples suites for a bit of relaxation. Needless to say the views are breath-taking. Navigating the corridor might need a hand as you’re enveloped by dark wood that all lead to a maze of treatment rooms.

The exquisite private dining facilities with fantastic harbour views, the grandest cutlery and crockery all add to the splendour of this property. With Michelin starred chefs the gastronomic delights will leave you clearly satisfied. The outrageously huge chandeliers at The Lounge and bar, the all-day dining facility are a marvel.

The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong also boasts one of the largest ballrooms in the city at 870sqm.. With distinguished partnerships having being formed with leading retailers including Baccarat the wedding packages include crystal and the grandest of designs in an all-encompassing package of which the signature experience includes a chauffeur driven Rolls-Royce Phantom service and a getaway honeymoon to a tropical paradise island.

Meeting etiquette are complemented by an additional four meeting rooms, it is a platform for creating an impression for the corporate structure.

Boutique shopping and entertainment at the ICC Tower
Also located at Union Square at the base of the property is the large expanse of the Elements Shopping Mall a unique shopping destination boasting a plethora of boutique luxury high end brands and ample restaurants. With easy access to the underground the facility also includes an ice rink, cinema and a very large organic store.

Hong Kong flights and visa from UAE
A visa for Hong Kong is available from the Republic of China Embassy, allow for at least 7 days processing and paperwork. Flights direct to Hong Kong include Emirates and Cathay Pacific services from Dubai.

The beginning of a journey for Ritz Carlton Hong Kong
This property is still young and the amalgamation of new property with the extensive experience of the hotel staff mixed with the influx of guests still needs time to create that grandeur experience of a well-worn distinction.

This however will come with time and the hotel will continue to see occupancy levels, aside from an almost 100% level on weekend, increase.

Ritz Carlton Hong Kong protocol and memories
On reflection of this property; if you are in the echelons of greatness, wealth, privilege or VIP ranking there is a distinct mark of protocol in place.